Graves drags a still protesting Watson into their home. "How could you humiliate her like that?"

"I didn't humiliate her."

"You treated her like a child in front of her girlfriend."

"Charlie is not her girlfriend."

"Maybe not officially, but it's only a matter of time before she is." Graves finally releases Watson's arm. "I know you're still upset about nearly losing Joey out in the bush."

"My little sister could have died," her fear from that night still evident in her voice.

"You can't protect her from everything." Watson slumps onto the couch. "And you can't keep treating Joey like a kid."

"I don't."

"You do. You tried to send her home like a guilty little school girl caught disobeying you." Watson glares at her as she continues on. "Georgie, you're her sister, she looks up to you and while she's happy to piss you off, annoy and frustrate the hell out of you, the one thing she can't handle is disappointing you."

"I have never been disappointed in her."

"It seemed like that tonight when you made that remark about taking your advice."

Remembering the way Joey had dropped her head at her criticism, Watson puts her head in her hands, "Oh god, I don't ever want Joey to think that I'm anything like our mother."

"I doubt she ever would but you're too overprotective at times. She's not the little kid hiding under your bed any more Georgie, she's a grown woman with a 10 year old daughter."

"That's not why I'm doing this."

"Isn't it? You've felt guilty all these years for not being there for her as a kid and I know that Joey gets reckless and self-destructive at times."

"Too often," Watson mutters. "Joey nearly died because of her recklessness and if things end badly between her and Charlie."

"Georgie," she interrupts, "We don't know that things are going to end badly for them when they've barely even started." Graves sighs in frustration, "Look, we both know that Joey's going to make mistakes, especially where her love life is concerned, but you can't run her life for her."

"Graves, she's not as tough as she makes out, especially when her heart is involved and you know how vulnerable she becomes, how unsure she gets. I just don't want to see her hurt any more than she's already been."

"No one likes to see their loved ones hurt, but you risk hurting her even more by interfering the way you have." Graves leans forward, "You can't protect her heart, just as you can't protect her from life; you just need to be there to help her when she needs you."

"She's making a mistake and so is Charlie."

"Have you even considered that Charlie may be what Joey needs to finally move on?"

Watson nods reluctantly. "It's been 14 months Graves, of course I want her to move on, but she's still wearing her wedding ring. And I have seen the way she is with Charlie and under different circumstances, I'd probably be supporting them but all the time she's been at Angelo about his credibility, she's been less than honest herself. Charlie's not going to be happy when she finds out and let's not forget Angelo; do you really think he will just let Charlie walk away?"

"With that ego of his, I doubt he would even believe that Charlie's capable of cheating on him and no, I don't think he's the type of man to let her walk away without a fight, but that's up to Joey and Charlie to deal with."

"What if Charlie can't leave him, where does that leave Joey?" Watson asks, trying to find any reason why this was a mistake.

"There's a lot of what ifs and who the fuck knows, but it's not your place to tell them how to live their lives and you know what, Charlie's risking a lot here too Georgie and she's doing it because she cares about Joey."

"I don't want either of them hurt."

"Everybody gets hurt with love at some time and remember what happened the last time you tried to interfere in Joey's love life, she didn't speak to you for six months."

"Yeah, but I was right."

Graves shakes her head in exasperation, "God, you two are as bad as each other."

"And you're a romantic fool." Watson finally concedes, "I just hope that Charlie's the type of person who can handle a woman like Joey."

"She's doing a pretty good job of it so far and Joey definitely hasn't made it easy." Graves puts her arm across her shoulders, "They're both adults and all we can do is support them and be there for them if it all blows up in their face."

"You're a good friend Graves, it's going to be a shame if I have to kill you if this turns out to be lousy advice."

Graves grins at her and is just about to say something when Joey storms into the house, straight past them and into her room, slamming the door behind her. Watson and Graves look at each. "No way," Graves holds up her hands, "She's your sister, you deal with her."

"I guess this is my punishment," she mutters as she makes her way to her sister's room.

Walking into her sister's room, she lies on the bed beside her, both of them saying nothing for a few minutes as they stare at the ceiling.

"I'm sorry Joey, I had no right to do that," she eventually says.

"No you didn't."

"And I never meant for you to think I was disappointed in you Joey, I never have been."

"But I am," Joey admits. "I feel like such a shit, Georgie."

Watson's heart breaks at the pain in her sister's voice, "You never planned for this to happen."

"No, but I could have stopped it before it started."

"How far has it gone?" Joey's silence telling her all she needed to know. "Joey, how do you feel about Charlie?"

"Aside from thinking she's the most gullible woman in the world for believing in a jerk like Rosetta, I think she's intelligent, funny, caring and drop-dead gorgeous."

"Are you in love with her?"

"No," Joey says in an unconvincing manner. "Georgie, I'm scared about what I'm starting to feel for her and that I'm the one who's going to be hurt when she finds out." Joey curls against her sister for comfort. "You warned me to pull back."

"I know I did, but I think it was already too late. Joey, you can't fight your feelings once you already have them."

"I've had meaningless sex in the past year, but making love with Charlie was different, it was amazing but then I felt like I was betraying the memory. It's been 14 months Georgie, am I ever going to be with someone without feeling guilty."

"Of course you will Joey, there's just no time frame for when you get over grief."

Joey plays with her ring, "I wish I could take this off."

"There will come a day Joey, when it feels right to do that."

"I hate this Georgie, I'm sick of the lies and I hate that I could lose her forever if she finds out."

"Look, I know that I said you weren't being fair to her by keeping her in the dark, but I was the one who wasn't being fair by saying that. Joey, it's not all your fault. You're a private person and it's not as if anyone has actually asked, they've just assumed some things about you." She shrugs, "And as for the rest, you're keeping things from her for a reason Joey. We don't know how she will react and everything could be ruined, not to mention lives endangered and you're not the only one deceiving her."

"But I'm the one sleeping with her."

"Charlie will be hurt by the deception, but she's a fair person, once the investigation is over, I'm sure we can make her understand why we did it."

"I don't have to let people make assumptions, it's just easier to let people believe what they want to." Joey sighs sadly, "At least it used to be easier."

"I'm sorry for stopping you tonight."

"I wasn't going to tell her everything."

"I know you wouldn't risk everything Joey, I just thought I was doing the right thing, that I was protecting you by keeping you apart, but I wasn't, was I?"

"She was already a distraction Georgie but being apart from her is so much worse. All I can think of is being with her, hating the lies and wondering if this is the last chance we have. I can't concentrate half the time." Joey goes quiet for a moment, "And then there's Martha."

"What's she got to do with it?"

"A lot. I slept with Martha, twice, and considering how Charlie feels about her, how understanding do you think she will be, especially if she finds out before I can explain why I did it."

"Fuck," Watson mutters. "Martha would take great pleasure in telling Charlie everything, with her own spin of course but you can't tell her about Martha just yet, not without revealing too much about Angelo as well and Charlie's reaction could ruin everything."

"I know that and that's why I hate this."

"Has Martha been hassling you again?" Watson asks, wishing she could lock Martha up well away from her sister.

"Not since you threatened to stick her phone up her arse."

"I might have another word with her, just to be sure."

"It's best if we both stay away from Martha."

"But I like hassling her, especially when I have a reason. It's so enjoyable seeing that look of surprise on her face that someone has the tenacity to stand up to her or call her on her behaviour."

Feeling comforted by her sister's support, Joey snuggles up closer to her side, "I love you Georgie."

"I love you too little sis." Kissing Joey on the top of her head. "Joey, you just have to stay strong and keep believing that everything will be all right in the end."

"I hope you're right."

"Maybe you should go and see Harley tomorrow," she suggests.

"Is that your way of keeping me from Charlie?"

Watson chuckles, "No, but Harley always puts you in a good mood and makes you believe anything is possible."

"I am missing her and being in a good mood will help me when I talk to Charlie."

"Then get some rest."

"Georgie?"

Watson rolls her eyes, "Yes?"

"I think you should talk to Charlie too."

"I'll think about it, now go to sleep, I don't want you driving to the city half asleep."

Watson waits until Joey is asleep before moving gently off the bed. Watching Joey sleeping peacefully, she leaves the room, hoping she had done the right thing by not standing in her way any more.

Watson waits until the end of shift the next day, before she stops by Charlie's office.

"Georgina, I thought you had gone home," Charlie says as she locks her gun away in the safe.

"No I was waiting for you. Can we talk about last night?"

"Sure, but can we make it quick, Ruby's visiting her dad, VJ's got a play date, so Nicole and Leah are going to be alone in the house."

"Charlie, that's a good thing, as long as they're together, they should be safe."

"I'm just worried that the rapist may start to take more risks and I also need to check in on Hogan's wife before I go home."

"I thought he had left earlier."

"No, he's stuck on a call out and his wife is due home from work shortly."

"Where are the kids?"

"His son is on a school camp and his daughter is at netball practice and he hasn't been able to get in touch with her."

"I can check in on her and stay with her until he gets home."

"Thanks Georgina, I'd feel a lot better if I can get home as quickly as possible."

"Charlie, I'm sorry about last night."

"Georgina, I get that you're only looking out for your sister, but you have no say in our relationship."

"I hate seeing her upset and the last couple of days she's been kind of down." Watson shrugs, "You two have been avoiding each other, I just assumed that she had gotten hurt again."

"I was giving Joey space to work out things."

"I know that now." Watson smiles wryly, "I've been reliably informed that I get overprotective of my sister."

"I really do understand that Georgina, especially considering Joey's past, but you need to let us deal with this ourselves. We both wanted this, it's just that Joey freaked out when we got busted."

Watson stares at her for a moment before breaking into laughter, "You got busted, as in..." she moves her hands suggestively.

Charlie blushes and nods.

"The little bugger left off that part," she chuckles some more.

"Georgina, I know that she's keeping things from me."

Watson holds her hand up, "I'm not going to reveal her secrets Charlie, that's up to Joey, but if you choose to pursue a relationship with her, then you need to be aware that she's not the most open person."

"Joey warned me that she wasn't the easiest person to love or get to know, she wasn't kidding."

"I know she comes across as this confident and tough woman, but she's not Charlie, not when it comes to relationships."

"I'm more than aware of that Georgina and I have no idea where things will go between us, but I'm willing to fight for her."

Watson studies her for a moment, surprised by Charlie's determination. "Joey has her own problems but so do you."

"Angelo," Charlie guesses. "Georgina, one thing that being with Joey has shown me, is that I can't marry Angelo." Her words surprising Watson again. "I tried to tell you last night, but you weren't in a very receptive mood and I know you have no reason to trust me where Angelo is concerned, but I assure you that I don't see my future as Mrs Rosetta."

"Do you see your future with Joey?"

"I honestly don't know, but it's definitely not with Angelo. This is all so new to me Georgina, but from now on, I'm making decisions about my future based on what I want, not what others want."

"I'm not going to stand in your way Charlie, but I don't want my sister hurt."

"Georgina, I don't want that either but I really want to see where I can go with Joey and I realise that there is still the matter of Joey's husband."

"Charlie, you really need to talk to Joey about her marriage."

Charlie frowns at her tone, "I know that there's problems or at least I think there are."

"Charlie, just talk to Joey."

"I was hoping to do that today."

"I suggested she go see her daughter, but she'll be back by the start of work tomorrow and in a much better mood."

"Georgina, are you sure you don't have a problem?"

"Oh, I have a problem, because I believe my sister will be hurt in some way, but it's also too late for her to walk away now without being hurt. It's time I let her live her own life."

"Thank you Georgina," she says as she gathers up her things.

Charlie feels so much better having cleared the air with her friend and starts to look forward to tomorrow as she heads home while Watson heads to the Hogan house, feeling a little better herself after talking to her friend.

"Damn it, I'm out of spices. Nicole, can you run to the diner and grab some oregano and basil and also some spuds?"

"What, now?"

"Sorry, but I've already started tea and I can't finish it without them."

"I don't know Leah, Charlie said no married woman should be home alone."

"It won't take you long and I'd go myself, but as you can see," Leah waves at her front, "I'm kind of wearing half of VJ's cake mix."

Nicole giggles at the usually clean clothed Leah now covered in bright green cake.

"Ok, I won't be long."

She was alone. He knew the risk was so much greater now, that he had no idea when one of the others might come home but it was too strong, he couldn't deny the need any longer. Heading to the window with the loose latch that he had discovered on a previous occasion, he jiggles the window as quietly as possible until the latch unlocks. Opening the window, he climbs in. Looking around, he realises he is in one of the bedrooms. Stealing his way to the door, he listens carefully. Not sure where she is, he takes a chance and opens the door a fraction. Hearing movement nearby, he ducks back in, leaving the door slightly ajar, hoping she wouldn't notice. He watches as she walks past the door, the smell of her perfume turning him on. Throwing the door open, he rushes her.

Hearing something behind her, she turns just as he barrels into her, knocking her backwards onto the floor. Momentarily stunned by the impact, she starts to fight back, struggling against his weight as he straddles her legs. "Keep still you bitch," he slams his fist into the side of her face. Using his knife, he slices through the material of her top and then her bra, while she lies stunned. He sighs in pleasure as his hands cover her breasts, squeezing them roughly. Feeling himself growing hard and desperate, he yanks her pants down past her knees, sitting on her hips. With his eyes focused back on her breasts, he doesn't notice when her eyes refocus, unprepared when she bucks her hips, knocking him off balance as he realises at the last second he'd forgotten to restrain her hands when her clenched fists slam into his solar plexus, the air rushing out of him. Still groggy, she tries to crawl away from him, his weight crashing into her again, sending her face first into the floor, feeling blood in her mouth from biting her lip. "You'll regret that bitch." Bringing his forearm around her neck, he drags her up to her knees, thrusting himself against her backside as he reaches around with his other hand to cup her breast. "Feel what you do to me?" groaning as his erection rubs against the constraints of his jeans. Slamming her head back, she catches him in the chin. "Fuck," he cries out, tightening his hold on her when she starts to squirm. "Stop fighting me bitch," bringing his forearm even tighter against her neck, the tip of his knife pointing to her face. Starting to see spots and afraid she was losing consciousness, she manages to duck her head a little and sinks her teeth into his forearm as hard as possible, drawing blood.

"Owwwwwww, you fucking bitch," clutching his arm. She struggles to stand as he tackles her legs, her head slamming into the coffee table as she falls. Crawling over to her motionless body, he rolls her onto her back, blood covering her face from the gash to her forehead, her chest moving up and down the only indication she still lived. Not fussed, he starts to unbuckle his belt, tugging his pants down, breathing a sigh of relief as he frees his erection. Moving between her legs, he curses and struggles with his pants as the door opens.

"What the fuck," shocked at the scene in front of her, without thinking, she rushes forward as he trips over his pants. Pulling them up at the last second, he gets to his feet, the knife flashing through the air and striking deep into her flesh. Giving a pleasing twist of his knife, revelling in the feel of the warm liquid that rushes over his hand, he pushes her off his knife, letting her slide to the ground with a groan, her hands trying unsuccessfully to stem the bleeding.

Looking down at her, his arousal almost painful as he watches the red stain growing at an alarming rate over her clothes and the carpet, her hands going limp as she loses consciousness. With the danger of being discovered too great to ignore again, he heads out the way he came, tugging off his mask, once again grateful he wore black as he feels her blood soaking through his clothes as he makes his way calmly into the evening.